Page 86 of Bonded Through Bite

“We need at least somebody in top shape.” I force my tone even and calm when Samantha fidgets. She seems to be in control now, but every now and then, she shudders or bites her lip, like she’s holding back a whine.

“For fuck’s sake,” the wolf huffs. “Jere, Olivia,” he howls and the wolves hurry back inside. I forgot that they were even out there.

“Alpha Zack,” Olivia says.

“Notify the pack that Mr. Moretti’s lands are a no-go area until we get word from him. Jere, I’ll be needing a car for myself. Get one here ASAP.”

“You can have my car, Alpha Courtkenay. I can ride with Olivia,” Jere replies.

“Good,” the alpha says. “We’ll brief the pack and gather a team and start tracking from the place where the thing attacked Samantha. It’s outside Mr. Moretti’s lands and our best bet to get a good scent.”

“Right away, Alpha Zack,” Olivia says and she already has a phone in hand. “I’ll call ahead.”

“Good, you two can go. I’ll follow shortly,” the alpha says and this time there is no arguing his orders. The woman throws a glare at Samantha, but then hurries out the door.

“And now we need to get a move on too,” I say. The house has Samantha’s scent all over it; there’s no hiding it, but there’s enough Santiago mixed in that I can claim to Patricia that they were just passing by and left before I heard from her.

“Rafe—”

“I’ll tell her she’s your whatever and you were just passing by.”

“She won’t buy it.”

“Doesn’t matter, it’s the story I’m sticking with.”

“And when it blows up in your face?”

“I’ll deal with it then. We need to kill the thing first.”

Santiago sighs. “Fine. Zack can take us to the bunker.”

I move to take Samantha from the wolf and look down at her drawn face. She didn’t ask for any of this. It’s my responsibility to make sure it turns out well for her.

I will make sure of it.

“When your wolves find the trace, let me know,” I say to the alpha and he nods. “Santiago, go get those blood bags.”

“How much would you need?” The alpha surprises me with his question.

“Bagged human blood? At least five liters and it probably will take a few days for me to be at my full strength. That thing is poisonous as hell.” Santiago looks worriedly at Samantha.

“And my blood?”

“From the vein? One good feeding might do it. Can’t say for sure,” Santiago says carefully. “But it would slow your healing.”

“Unless you gave me a shot once you bounce back.”

What the fuck! That would bond the two of them and yet Santiago looks like he’s seriously considering it. Some of my internal horror and surprise must show on my face, since the alpha shrugs.

“She’s a package deal. I’m willing to deal with it. What I’m not willing to deal with is that thing torturing her and driving her mad.”

“Rafe?” Santiago looks at me and I clutch Samantha closer to my chest. Her fingers wrap around my neck and I realize she’s awake at least to some degree.

“You don’t have to,” she whispers so faintly I’m not sure if she actually said it. I look down, but her eyes are closed, mouth slack.

“Rafe,” Santiago repeats and reluctantly, I nod.

“But you need to do it at the bunker. Patricia will be here at any minute.”